1. Early American Literature Origin of Storytelling and the Trickster Tales

2. Native Storytelling Myths –unproven tales that explain a tradition, customary practice, or occurrence in nature Legends –unproven story handed down from generation to generation Tales –a rumor or piece of gossip relating to a story that holds some truth Lyrics –words to a song (used to tell stories in Early America…and are still used)

3. Why? It is human nature to want to explain the unknown These stories were often told to explain the big questions: (who are we? why are we here? where do we go when we die? who is in charge? purpose of life?

4. Native Americans Prior to European arrival, there was no written literature from Native Americans –Cause: Literature is very diverse Tribes across America were very different in beliefs and government and therefore passed down very different stories

5. Similarity in Native American Lit Most Native literature presents the Earth and Nature as a living and acting force Spirituality Characters often include animals and plants

6. Trickster Tales Who is the “trickster” –can be many forms (coyote, raven, spider, mink, rabbit…) The “trickster” is different in European literature. Usually human form.

7. Trickster is the spark scandalous attracts all the ladies (very highly sexed, often sexual misconduct) disgusts amuses shifting shapes outwitting the upper class pranks disrupts humiliates Modern Example: Steve Polycronopolus

8. Most Popular Trickster The coyote Where have you seen the coyote represent a more spiritual or powerful being?

9. Native American Trickster Is not always the prankster or jokester Often the creator of: –the earth –evolution (through his treachery) –transforming the world / earth –the trickster’s morals often conflict

10. Tradition is important! The tales must be told exactly as they were first were –often have strict rules about how and when they can be told –bad fortune may happen for one who does not obey the laws of the trickster tale Some tales may be modified, some may not Others may not leave the originating tribe

11. Source: http://www.pittstate.edu/engl/nichols/coyote.html http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/oal/oaltoc.h tmhttp://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/oal/oaltoc.h tm Angenette Fudala’s website - Erdoes, Richard and Alfonso Ortiz, eds. American Indian Trickster Tales. New York: Penguin Books, 1998.

12. Assignment: Using the internet, find an example of the following: –Myth –Legend –Trickster Tale Read each present for the class. Due Friday, August 31 st.

13. Presentation Requirements: Posterboard divided into three sections Printed copies of Myth, Legend, and Trickster Tale Pictures included for each section Bullet-points to guide your presentation

14. Example Trickster Tale MythLegend